Cocktails & Characters: Ramsey & Lila

I had so much fun coming up with these cocktails. I mean… of course I had to test out different versions until I got it perfect… right? In fact, now that I think about it, I might just have to do this for every single character in the series (and there’s a bunch).

A little background before I get to the good stuff (recipes)… Crimson Dahlia is the 3rd book in the Svatura series. Look for the 4thand final book – Black Orchid – this February. This is a paranormal romance series about people with extraordinary powers. Each book in the series features a different couple as the main characters while still continuing the overarching themes and storyline. I should also mention (because it’s relevant to my drink selections) that powers can be seen (by certain characters) as glowing lights of color inside the person with the gift.

I’ve created a drink for each of the leads in Crimson Dahlia – Lila Jenner and Ramsey Pierce.

Ramsey, our gruff with a heart-of-gold hero, is a firestarter. Most firestarters don’t live to adulthood because the power comes with a volatile personality which means they lose control of their ability and go down in flames (literally). Meanwhile, he’s also a total pushover for Lila, whom he’s loved from afar for years. Ramsey’s light is deep red.

Lila is the feisty and independent heroine in Crimson Dahlia. One of her powers is emotional control and emotional healing. With this gift, she has helped Ramsey learn to control his power over the years. She’s wanted something more with him for ages, but he continues to keep his distance. Lila’s light is ice blue.

Hope you enjoy both of these!!!

Firestarter

Ramsey’s drink has a coffee flavor to it – because he’s a little bitter. But he has a heart of gold (hence the Goldschlager). This one is pretty potent just like Ramsey (especially if you substitute coffee liqueur). And of course you light it on fire. I had to have flames for my firestarter. The cinnamon gives it an added kick of spice (plus a pretty cool visual effect).

Shake the coffee, Bailey‘s, amaretto and Goldschlager in a cocktail shaker and strain into a cocktail glass. Put a shallow layer of 151-proof rum on top. Light the rum on fire, then immediately sprinkle a generous dash of cinnamon on top. The cinnamon will sparkle and flame. Don’t let it burn too long, or the Bailey’s will curdle! And – very important – make sure to cover the drink to put out the flame before drinking.

Caveat: Understand that open flame is dangerous. You take full responsibility if you make/attempt to make this drink. Any acts of overt stupidity (or even accidental folly) … well, you get the picture.

Emotional Control

Lila’s drink has two halves. In the bottom is a fruity mix of flavors, sort of like an emotional “cocktail”, and is red in color (like Ramsey’s light). Floating on top of the red is an ice blue concoction that represents her ice blue light and her ability to control the emotional part of the drink below.

Ingredients

1 oz strawberry or raspberry schnapps (pomegranate works too)

1 oz peach schnapps

1 cranberry juice (big splash)

1 orange juice (big splash)

1 slice lime

1 ½ ozs rum

1/4 oz blue curacao

½ to 1 oz simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill)

Optional splash of coconut flavored liqueur

Preparation

Mix the schnapps, cranberry juice, and orange juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass.

Muddle the lime slice, rum, blue curacao and simple syrup in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with lime slice, if desired.